Imaging device and imaging system

ABSTRACT

The need for miniaturizing camera modules is to be effectively satisfied. There are provided a pixel unit, an image processing unit that processes an image signal generated by the pixel unit, an encoding unit that encodes the image signal processed by the image processing unit, and an address assignment unit that assigns an address to a compressed signal encoded by the encoding unit. The pixel unit is provided on a first substrate. The image processing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignment unit are provided on a second substrate to be stacked on the first substrate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/052,700, filed on Nov. 3, 2020, which is a U.S.National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2019/019193filed on May 14, 2019, which claims priority benefit of Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2018-093445 filed in the Japan Patent Office on May15, 2018. Each of the above-referenced applications is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to an imaging device and an imagingsystem, and particularly to an imaging device having a structure inwhich an upper pixel portion and a lower signal processing circuitportion are stacked and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an image sensor and anoutput interface are separately provided in a camera module. With such aconfiguration, the recent need for miniaturizing camera modules may notbe satisfied.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2012/032809

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present technology is to effectively satisfy the needfor miniaturizing camera modules.

Solutions to Problems

A concept of the present technology is directed to:

an imaging device including:a pixel unit;an image processing unit that processes an image signal generated by thepixel unit;an encoding unit that encodes the image signal processed by the imageprocessing unit; andan address assignment unit that assigns an address to a compressedsignal encoded by the encoding unit, in whichthe pixel unit is provided on a first substrate, andthe image processing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignmentunit are provided on a second substrate to be stacked on the firstsubstrate.

According to the present technology, the pixel unit is provided on thefirst substrate, and the image processing unit, the encoding unit, andthe address assignment unit are provided on the second substrate to bestacked on the first substrate. The image signal generated by the pixelunit is processed by the image processing unit, and then encoded by theencoding unit. Then, the address assignment unit assigns an address tothe encoded compressed signal.

As described above, according to the present technology, the imageprocessing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignment unit areprovided on the second substrate, whereby the need for miniaturizingcamera modules can be effectively satisfied.

Note that, in the present technology, an output unit that convertssignals from the address assignment unit into output signals and outputsthem to a network may be further included, and the output unit may beprovided on the second substrate, for example. With this arrangement, itbecomes possible to further miniaturize camera modules. Furthermore, inthe present technology, a time synchronization function unit thatcommunicates with an external device to set the time may be furtherincluded, and the time synchronization function unit may be provided onthe second substrate, for example. With this arrangement, it becomespossible to perform highly accurate time synchronization with theexternal device, thereby enabling highly accurate synchronous control ofthe imaging timing.

Furthermore, another concept of the present technology is directed to:

an imaging system including:an imaging device; andan electronic control unit to be connected to the imaging device througha network, in whichthe imaging device includes:a pixel unit;an image processing unit that processes an image signal generated by thepixel unit; an encoding unit that encodes the image signal processed bythe image processing unit; andan address assignment unit that assigns an address to a compressedsignal encoded by the encoding unit,the pixel unit is provided on a first substrate, andthe image processing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignmentunit are provided on a second substrate to be stacked on the firstsubstrate.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present technology, it becomes possible to effectivelysatisfy the need for miniaturizing camera modules. Note that the effectsdescribed herein are not necessarily limited, and may be any of theeffects described in the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of animaging device as an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a time synchronization function of anEthernet system unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of animaging system to which the imaging device of the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anotherimaging system to which the imaging device of the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary schematicconfiguration of a vehicle control system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating exemplary positions forinstalling a vehicle exterior information detection unit and an imagingunit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary configuration of theimaging device.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the invention (hereinafterreferred to as an embodiment) will be described. Note that descriptionswill be given in the following order.

1. Embodiment 2. Applications to Mobile Body 3. Variation <1.Embodiment>

[Exemplary Configuration of Imaging Device]

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an imaging device 100as an embodiment. The imaging device 100 includes an upper chip (firstsubstrate) 101 and a lower chip (second substrate) 102, which arestacked. Note that the illustrated example shows the first chip 101 andthe second chip 102 in a separated state for convenience of explanation.

A pixel unit 105 in which a plurality of pixels that performsphotoelectric conversion is arranged in a matrix is provided on theupper chip 101. The upper chip 101 is formed using a complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor (CIS) process. An imagesignal processor (ISP) unit 110, which is surrounded by a broken linebox, and an Ethernet system unit 120, which is surrounded by a dash-dotline box, are provided on the lower chip 102. The lower chip 102 isformed using a universal logic process. Note that the “Ethernet” is aregistered trademark.

The ISP unit 110 includes each unit such as a “central processing unit(CPU)”, “random access memory (RAM)”, “perifheral”, “CIS-1F”, “ISP”, and“MIPI-TX.” As is well known, the ISP unit 110 performs processing suchas white balance adjustment, gain adjustment, distortion correction, andguideline superimposition on image signals obtained by the pixel unit105, and outputs the processed image signals according to the serialdata transmission standard of the mobile industry processor interface(MIPI).

The Ethernet system unit 120 includes each unit such as a “CPU”, “RAM”,“perifheral”, “codec”, and “Ethernet MAC”. The Ethernet system unit 120encodes the image signals having been processed by the “ISP” of the ISPunit 110, generates an Ethernet frame including encoded compressedsignals, and outputs, to a physical layer (PHY) chip 103, the Ethernetframe using a method such as the interface standard of the mediaindependent interface (MII) and its derived standard of the interfacestandard of the reduced gigabit media independent interface (RGMII).

The part of “codec” is a part that encodes the image signals having beenprocessed by the “ISP” of the ISP unit 110. For example, encoding iscarried out using a method such as MPEG-4, H264, H265, and Motion JPEG.Furthermore, the part of “Ethernet MAC” is a part that generates anEthernet frame including encoded compressed signals by, for example,assigning a MAC address.

The PHY chip 103 converts the Ethernet frame transmitted from the partof “Ethernet MAC” of the Ethernet system unit 120 from logical signalsinto electrical signals to be actually transmitted, and transmits themto a network through an Ethernet cable.

The “CPU” of the Ethernet system unit 120 communicates with externaldevices through the Ethernet. In the present embodiment, the “CPU”communicates with an external device to set the time on the basis of theIEEE 802.1AS standard. In this sense, the “CPU” constitutes a timesynchronization function unit.

FIG. 2 illustrates an imaging system in which four cameras (cameramodules) 150-1 to 150-4 are connected to an electronic control unit(ECU) 170 via a switch (Ethernet switch) 160. Each of the cameras 150-1to 150-4 includes the imaging device 100 and the PHY chip 103illustrated in FIG. 1. The ECU 170 and the cameras 150-1 to 150-4communicate with each other to set the time on the basis of the IEEE802.1AS standard, thereby enabling highly accurate synchronous controlof the imaging timing.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the imaging system. Theimaging system is configured in such a manner that five cameras 210-1 to210-5 are disposed on a vehicle 200, each of the cameras is connected toa switch (Ethernet switch) 220 through an Ethernet cable, and an ECU 230is further connected to the switch 220. Each of the cameras 210-1 to210-5 includes the imaging device 100 and the PHY chip 103 illustratedin FIG. 1. Note that the “CIS” indicates the pixel unit 105 provided onthe upper chip 101, the “ISP” indicates the ISP unit 110 provided on thelower chip 102, and the “H264” indicates the Ethernet system unit 120provided on the lower chip 102. Furthermore, the “PHY” indicates the PHYchip 103. A twisted pair cable may be applied as the Ethernet cable inthe imaging system. This is similarly applied to the imaging system ofFIG. 4 to be described below.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary configuration of the imagingsystem. The imaging system is configured in such a manner that sevencameras 210-1 to 210-7 are disposed on the vehicle 200, each of thecameras is connected to any of switches (Ethernet switches) 220-1 to220-4 through an Ethernet cable, and the ECU 230 is further connected tothe switch 220-1. Each of the cameras 210-1 to 210-7 includes theimaging device 100 and the PHY chip 103 illustrated in FIG. 1. Note thatthe “CIS” indicates the pixel unit 105 provided on the upper chip 101,the “ISP” indicates the ISP unit 110 provided on the lower chip 102, andthe “H264” indicates the Ethernet system unit 120 provided on the lowerchip 102. Furthermore, the “PHY” indicates the PHY chip 103.

In the exemplary configuration of the imaging system of FIG. 4, anetwork includes the multiple switches 220-1 to 220-4, and each camerais connected to a switch existing in the vicinity thereof, whereby thelength of the Ethernet cable between the camera and the switch can beshortened, and the wiring can be simplified even if the number ofcameras increases.

As described above, in the imaging device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, theEthernet system unit 120 is provided on the lower chip 102 together withthe ISP unit 110, whereby the need for miniaturizing camera modules canbe effectively satisfied. Furthermore, in the imaging device 100illustrated in FIG. 1, the “CPU” of the Ethernet system unit 120includes a time synchronization function unit that communicates with anexternal device to set the time, whereby highly accurate timesynchronization can be performed with the external device.

<2. Applications to Mobile Body>

The technology according to the present disclosure (present technology)can be applied to various products. For example, the technologyaccording to the present disclosure may be implemented as a device to bemounted on any type of mobile body such as a vehicle, electric vehicle,hybrid electric vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, personal mobility,airplane, drone, ship, and robot.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic exemplaryconfiguration of a vehicle control system as an example of a mobile bodycontrol system to which the technology according to the presentdisclosure can be applied.

A vehicle control system 12000 includes a plurality of electroniccontrol units connected via a communication network 12001. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 5, the vehicle control system 12000 includesa drive system control unit 12010, a body system control unit 12020, avehicle exterior information detection unit 12030, an in-vehicleinformation detection unit 12040, and an integrated control unit 12050.Furthermore, as a functional configuration of the integrated controlunit 12050, a microcomputer 12051, an audio image output unit 12052, andan onboard network interface (I/F) 12053 are illustrated in the drawing.

The drive system control unit 12010 controls operation of a devicerelated to a drive system of a vehicle according to various programs.For example, the drive system control unit 12010 functions as a controldevice of a driving force generation device for generating driving forceof a vehicle such as an internal-combustion engine and a driving motor,a driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting driving force towheels, a steering mechanism for adjusting a steering angle of avehicle, a braking device for generating braking force of a vehicle, andthe like.

The body system control unit 12020 controls operation of various devicesinstalled on a vehicle body according to various programs. For example,the body system control unit 12020 functions as a control device of akeyless entry system, a smart key system, a power window device, orvarious lamps such as a head lamp, a back lamp, a brake lamp, a turnindicator, and a fog lamp. In this case, radio waves transmitted from aportable device substituted for a key or signals of various switches maybe input to the body system control unit 12020. The body system controlunit 12020 receives input of those radio waves or the signals, andcontrols a door lock device, a power window device, a lamp, and the likeof a vehicle.

The vehicle exterior information detection unit 12030 detectsinformation regarding the outside of the vehicle on which the vehiclecontrol system 12000 is installed. For example, an imaging unit 12031 isconnected to the vehicle exterior information detection unit 12030. Thevehicle exterior information detection unit 12030 causes the imagingunit 12031 to capture an image of the outside of the vehicle, andreceives the captured image. The vehicle exterior information detectionunit 12030 may perform, on the basis of the received image, detectionprocessing of an object such as a person, a vehicle, an obstacle, asign, and a character on a road, or distance detection processing.

The imaging unit 12031 is an optical sensor that receives light andoutputs electric signals corresponding to the amount of the receivedlight. The imaging unit 12031 may output the electric signals as animage, or as information regarding the distance measurement.Furthermore, the light received by the imaging unit 12031 may be visiblelight, or may be invisible light such as infrared rays.

The in-vehicle information detection unit 12040 detects informationregarding the inside of the vehicle. For example, a driver conditiondetection unit 12041 for detecting condition of a driver is connected tothe in-vehicle information detection unit 12040. The driver conditiondetection unit 12041 includes, for example, a camera for imaging thedriver, and the in-vehicle information detection unit 12040 maycalculate a fatigue degree or a concentration degree of the driver ormay determine whether or not the driver is dozing off on the basis ofthe detected information input from the driver condition detection unit12041.

The microcomputer 12051 is capable of calculating a control target valueof the driving force generation device, the steering mechanism, or thebraking device on the basis of the information regarding theoutside/inside of the vehicle obtained by the vehicle exteriorinformation detection unit 12030 or the in-vehicle information detectionunit 12040, and outputting a control command to the drive system controlunit 12010. For example, the microcomputer 12051 is capable ofperforming cooperative control aiming at implementation of a function ofthe advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) including collisionavoidance or impact mitigation of the vehicle, following travel based onthe distance between vehicles, vehicle speed maintenance travelling,vehicle collision warning, vehicle lane departure warning, and the like.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 12051 controls the driving forcegeneration device, the steering mechanism, the braking device, or thelike on the basis of the information regarding the surroundings of thevehicle obtained by the vehicle exterior information detection unit12030 or the in-vehicle information detection unit 12040, wherebycooperative control aiming at autonomous driving for autonomouslytravelling without being dependent on the operation of the driver andthe like can be performed.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 12051 is capable of outputting a controlcommand to the body system control unit 12030 on the basis of theinformation regarding the outside of the vehicle obtained by the vehicleexterior information detection unit 12030. For example, themicrocomputer 12051 is capable of performing cooperative control aimingat anti-glaring such as switching from the high beam to the low beam bycontrolling the head lamp according to the position of a leading vehicleor an oncoming vehicle detected by the vehicle exterior informationdetection unit 12030.

The audio image output unit 12052 transmits at least one of outputsignals of audio or an image to an output device capable of visually oraudibly notifying an occupant of the vehicle or the outside of thevehicle of information. In the example of FIG. 5, an audio speaker12061, a display 12062, and an instrument panel 12063 are exemplified asthe output device. The display 12062 may include, for example, at leastone of an onboard display or a head-up display.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation positionof the imaging unit 12031.

In FIG. 6, as the imaging unit 12031, imaging units 12101, 12102, 12103,12104, and 12105 are included.

The imaging units 12101, 12102, 12103, 12104, and 12105 are provided at,for example, a position such as a front nose, a side mirror, a rearbumper, a back door, and an upper portion of a vehicle interiorwindshield of a vehicle 12100. The imaging unit 12101 provided on thefront nose and the imaging unit 12105 provided on the upper portion ofthe vehicle interior windshield mainly obtain an image in front of thevehicle 12100. The imaging units 12102 and 12103 provided on the sidemirrors mainly obtain an image of the lateral sides of the vehicle12100. The imaging unit 12104 provided on the rear bumper or the backdoor mainly obtains an image behind the vehicle 12100. The imaging unit12105 provided on the upper portion of the vehicle interior windshieldis mainly used for detecting a leading vehicle, a pedestrian, anobstacle, a traffic signal, a traffic sign, a lane, and the like.

Note that an exemplary imaging range of the imaging units 12101 to 12104is illustrated in FIG. 6. An imaging range 12111 indicates an imagingrange of the imaging unit 12101 provided on the front nose, imagingranges 12112 and 12113 indicate imaging ranges of the imaging units12102 and 12103 provided on the side mirrors, respectively, and animaging range 12114 indicates an imaging range of the imaging unit 12104provided on the rear bumper or the back door. For example, image datacaptured by the imaging units 12101 to 12104 are superimposed, wherebyan overhead image of the vehicle 12100 viewed from above can beobtained.

At least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may have a function ofobtaining distance information. For example, at least one of the imagingunits 12101 to 12104 may be a stereo camera including a plurality ofimage pickup devices, or may be an image pickup device having pixels fordetecting a phase difference.

For example, the microcomputer 12051 calculates, on the basis of thedistance information obtained from the imaging units 12101 to 12104, adistance to each three-dimensional object within the imaging ranges12111 to 12114 and a temporal change of the distance (relative speedwith respect to the vehicle 12100), whereby particularly athree-dimensional object traveling at a predetermined speed (e.g., 0km/h or more) in substantially the same direction as the vehicle 12100,which is the closest three-dimensional object on the traveling path ofthe vehicle 12100, can be extracted as a leading vehicle. Moreover, themicrocomputer 12051 can perform automatic brake control (includingfollowing travel stop control), automatic acceleration control(including following travel start control), and the like by setting thedistance between vehicles to be secured in advance before a leadingvehicle. In this manner, the cooperative control aiming at theautonomous driving for autonomously travelling without being dependenton the operation of the driver and the like can be performed.

For example, the microcomputer 12051 can extract, on the basis of thedistance information obtained from the imaging units 12101 to 12104,three-dimensional object data related to a three-dimensional objectafter dividing it into a motorcycle, an ordinary car, a large vehicle, apedestrian, and other three-dimensional objects such as a utility pole,which can be used for automatic avoidance of obstacles. For example, themicrocomputer 12051 distinguishes obstacles around the vehicle 12100 asan obstacle that can be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle12100 and an obstacle less likely to be visually recognized. Then, themicrocomputer 12051 determines a collision risk indicating a degree ofrisk of collision with each obstacle, and in a case where the collisionrisk is equal to or more than a set value and there is a possibility ofcollision, a warning is output to the driver via the audio speaker 12061or the display 12062, or forced deceleration or avoidance steering isperformed via the drive system control unit 12010, whereby drivingsupport for avoiding collision can be performed.

At least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may be an infraredcamera for detecting infrared rays. For example, the microcomputer 12051can recognize a pedestrian by determining whether or not the pedestrianexists in the image captured by the imaging units 12101 to 12104. Suchrecognition of the pedestrian is performed through, for example, aprocedure of extracting characteristic points in the image captured bythe imaging units 12101 to 12104 as infrared cameras, and a procedure ofperforming pattern matching processing on a series of characteristicpoints indicating the outline of the object to determine whether or notit is a pedestrian. When the microcomputer 12051 determines that apedestrian exists in the image captured by the imaging units 12101 to12104 and the pedestrian is recognized, the audio image output unit12052 controls the display 12062 in such a manner that a square outlinefor emphasizing the recognized pedestrian is displayed in a superimposedmanner. Furthermore, the audio image output unit 12052 may control thedisplay 12062 in such a manner that an icon or the like indicating thepedestrian is displayed at a desired position.

An exemplary vehicle control system to which the technology accordingthe present disclosure can be applied has been described above. Thetechnology according to the present disclosure can be applied to theimaging unit 12031 in the configuration described above. With thetechnology according to the present disclosure being applied to theimaging unit 12031, the need for miniaturizing camera modules can beeffectively satisfied.

<3. Variation>

Note that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows an exemplary casewhere the PHY chip 103 exists separately from the imaging device 100. Itis also conceivable to provide a part having a function equivalent tothat of the PHY chip 103 on the lower chip 102. FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary configuration of an imaging device 100A in such a case. InFIG. 7, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the samereference signs, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted asappropriate. The imaging device 100A includes an upper chip (firstsubstrate) 101 and a lower chip (second substrate) 102A, which arestacked. Note that the illustrated example shows the first chip 101 andthe second chip 102A in a separated state for convenience ofexplanation.

A pixel unit 105 in which a plurality of pixels that performsphotoelectric conversion is arranged in a matrix is provided on theupper chip 101. An image signal processor (ISP) unit 110, which issurrounded by a broken line box, and an Ethernet system unit 120A, whichis surrounded by a dash-dot line box, are provided on the lower chip102A.

The Ethernet system unit 120A includes each unit such as a “CPU”, “RAM”,“perifheral”, “codec”, “Ethernet MAC”, and “Ether PHY”. The “Ether PHY”is a part having a function equivalent to that of the PHY chip 103. Thepart of “Ether PHY” converts the Ethernet frame transmitted from thepart of “Ethernet MAC” from logical signals into electrical signals tobe actually transmitted, and transmits them to a network through anEthernet cable.

In this manner, with the part having the function equivalent to that ofthe PHY chip 103 being provided on the lower chip 102A, it becomespossible to further miniaturize camera modules.

Furthermore, although the preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure isnot limited to such examples. It is obvious that those skilled in theart in the technical field of the present disclosure may find variousalterations and modifications within the technical ideas of the appendedclaims, and it should be understood that such alterations andmodifications are also naturally within the technical scope of thepresent disclosure.

Furthermore, the present technology can also take the followingconfigurations.

(1) An imaging device including:

a pixel unit;

an image processing unit that processes an image signal generated by thepixel unit;

an encoding unit that encodes the image signal processed by the imageprocessing unit; and

an address assignment unit that assigns an address to a compressedsignal encoded by the encoding unit, in which

the pixel unit is provided on a first substrate, and

the image processing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignmentunit are provided on a second substrate to be stacked on the firstsubstrate.

(2) The imaging device according to (1) described above, furtherincluding:

an output unit that converts a signal from the address assignment unitinto an output signal and outputs the output signal to a network, inwhich

the output unit is provided on the second substrate.

(3) The imaging device according to (1) or (2) described above, furtherincluding:

a time synchronization function unit that communicates with an externaldevice to set time, in which the time synchronization function unit isprovided on the second substrate.

(4) An imaging system including:

an imaging device; and

an electronic control unit to be connected to the imaging device througha network, in which

the imaging device includes:

a pixel unit;

an image processing unit that processes an image signal generated by thepixel unit;

an encoding unit that encodes the image signal processed by the imageprocessing unit; and

an address assignment unit that assigns an address to a compressedsignal encoded by the encoding unit,

the pixel unit is provided on a first substrate, and

the image processing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignmentunit are provided on a second substrate to be stacked on the firstsubstrate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100, 100A Imaging device-   101 Upper chip (First substrate)-   102, 102A Lower chip (Second substrate)-   103 PHY chip-   105 Pixel unit-   110 ISP unit-   120, 120A Ethernet system unit-   150-1 to 150-4 Camera (Camera module)-   160 Switch (Ethernet switch)-   170 ECU-   200 Vehicle-   210-1 to 210-7 Camera (Camera module)-   220, 220-1 to 220-4 Switch (Ethernet switch)-   230 ECU

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging device, comprising: a plurality ofpixels on a first substrate, wherein the plurality of pixels isconfigured to generate an image signal; first circuitry on a secondsubstrate stacked on the first substrate, wherein the first circuitry isconfigured to: process the image signal to generate a processed imagesignal; and output the processed image signal through a first datainterface; second circuitry on the second substrate, wherein the secondcircuitry is configured to: encode the processed image signal togenerate an encoded compressed signal; assign an address to the encodedcompressed signal to generate an Ethernet frame that includes theencoded compressed signal; and output the Ethernet frame through asecond data interface.
 2. The imaging device according to claim 1,wherein the first data interface is a mobile industry processorinterface (MIPI).
 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, whereinthe second data interface is one of a media independent interface (MII)or a reduced gigabit media independent interface (RGMII).
 4. The imagingdevice according to claim 1, further comprising a physical layer chip onthe second substrate, wherein the physical layer chip is configured totransmit the Ethernet frame to a network, the physical layer chip isconfigured to communicate with an external Ethernet switch, and thesecond circuitry is configured to communicate with an external devicevia the external Ethernet switch.
 5. The imaging device according toclaim 4, wherein the physical layer chip, on the second substrate, isfurther configured to convert the Ethernet frame from logical signals toelectrical signals for the transmission of the Ethernet frame to thenetwork.
 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the secondcircuitry is further configured to: convert the encoded compressedsignal into an output electrical signal subsequent to the assignment ofthe address; and output the output electrical signal.
 7. The imagingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the second circuitry is furtherconfigured to: set a time based on a determined standard; andcommunicate in synchronization with an external device based on the settime.
 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the determinedstandard comprises IEEE 802.1AS standard.
 9. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first circuitry is further configuredto perform at least one of a white balance adjustment, a gainadjustment, or a distortion correction on the image signal.
 10. Theimaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuitry isfurther configured to superimpose a guideline signal on the generatedimage signal.
 11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst circuitry is further configured to output the processed imagesignal through the first data interface without compression.
 12. Theimaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuitry isfurther configured to encode the processed image signal based on one ofa MPEG-4 standard, a H264 standard, a H265 standard, or a motion JPEGstandard.
 13. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein theaddress is a MAC address.
 14. The imaging device according to claim 1,wherein the imaging device is mounted on a vehicle.
 15. An imagingsystem, comprising: an imaging device; an Ethernet switch coupled to theimaging device through a network; and an electronic control unit coupledto the Ethernet switch, wherein the imaging device includes: a pluralityof pixels on a first substrate, wherein the plurality of pixels isconfigured to generate an image signal; first circuitry on a secondsubstrate stacked on the first substrate, wherein the first circuitry isconfigured to: process the image signal to generate a processed imagesignal; and output the processed image signal through a first datainterface; second circuitry on the second substrate, wherein the secondcircuitry is configured to: encode the processed image signal togenerate an encoded compressed signal; assign an address to the encodedcompressed signal to generate an Ethernet frame that includes theencoded compressed signal; and output the Ethernet frame through asecond data interface.
 16. The imaging system according to claim 15,further comprising a physical layer chip configured to transmit theEthernet frame to the network, wherein the physical layer chip isconfigured to communicate with the Ethernet switch, and the secondcircuitry is configured to communicate with the electronic control unitvia the Ethernet switch.
 17. The imaging system according to claim 15,wherein the first data interface is a mobile industry processorinterface (MIPI).
 18. The imaging system according to claim 15, whereinthe second data interface is one of a media independent interface (MII)or a reduced gigabit media independent interface (RGMII).